Thinking of Fish For Dinner? Why Not Pass the Genetically Modified Salmon?

Thinking of fish for dinner? Why not pass the genetically modified salmon? We’ve all heard of the many genetically engineered fruits and veggies out there, but for the first time the FDA has approved a genetically modified salmon that will grow at a faster rate than the current salmon raised on farms today.

Reuters reports about the new GMO salmon developed by AquaBounty Technologies. Salmon will be the first animal approved by the FDA to have genetic modifications for human consumption. Regulators advise that the genetically modified salmon is just as nutritious as the regular farm-raised salmon and will not need special labeling (so in other words, you may not even know you’re eating the GMO fish).

Consumers and environmental groups like Food & Water Watch are not happy with the intentions to sell unlabeled GMO salmon. They feel consumers have a right to know how food is being produced, even if the FDA says it is safe. The group is currently speaking with members of congress to ban the sale of this fish.

But for many genetic experts, GMO salmon is a win for the environment. Dr. William Muir, a professor of genetics at Purdue University, believes producing GMO salmon will actually benefit the environment by reducing the amount of over-fishing we see in the oceans. He says, “In contrast, the current practice of using wild caught salmon as a food source is not sustainable, our oceans are over-fished.”

And it’s no surprise that makers of the genetically engineered fish are pretty gung-ho about their salmon hitting dinner plates across the country. AquaBounty Chief Executive Ronald Stotish says of the FDA’s approval that it is, “a game-changer that brings healthy and nutritious food to consumers in an environmentally responsible manner without damaging the ocean and other marine habitats.”

What do you think of the FDA approving GMO salmon and not requiring a label on the fish?